York County snowfall totals downgraded; coast could see flooding

As of Thursday evening, the word in southern York County was one of "wait and see" as the snow continued to fall but the winds had not yet picked up.

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By Deborah McDermott and Susan Morse

seacoastonline.com

By Deborah McDermott and Susan Morse

Posted Jan. 3, 2014 at 2:00 AM

By Deborah McDermott and Susan Morse

Posted Jan. 3, 2014 at 2:00 AM

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As of Thursday evening, the word in southern York County was one of "wait and see" as the snow continued to fall but the winds had not yet picked up.

Town halls in Kittery, Eliot and South Berwick all closed early, and residents are asked to keep checking their town Web sites for updates about the schedule for today.

"Hopefully, with the town halls closed, that will reduce the number of cars on the road this afternoon," said Eliot and Kittery Police Chief Theodor Short on Thursday.

Short said that by noon, the roads in both towns had started to deteriorate, but people who had to be on the road were driving slowly. No significant accidents were reported in either town by evening, he said.

"The road crews are staying ahead of this," he said.

The same could be said in South Berwick, where a police dispatcher said "all sorts of cars are sliding off the road" but no serious crashes occurred as of Thursday afternoon.

Kittery Fire Chief Dave O'Brien said firefighters were asked to report for duty at the two stations in town Thursday evening as they prepared for the winds to pick up and calls to increase throughout the overnight hours.

"We're worried about later this evening," he said.

Leo Rogers, director of the York County Emergency Management Agency, said Thursday evening that, based on data he has received thus far, he anticipates "minor to moderate flooding" along the York County coast overnight.

The latest update from the National Weather Service on Thursday night indicated that total snowfall amounts in York County was expected to reach 6 to 10 inches. That is a downgrade from earlier predictions, he said.

He said there is some indication that the winds associated with this storm may be shifting north-northwest instead of northeast — which creates a classic nor'easter storm.

If that proves true, that would be helpful as the winds would not assault the coast as dramatically.

The storm is supposed to clear out of the area by 10 to 11 a.m. today, he said.